Blues boss Paul Lambert gave little away when asked which of his senior keepers might get the nod on the opening day of the season at Burton.

So far in pre-season the Town manager has alternated between Bartosz Bialkowski and 6ft 9in tall summer signing Tomas Holy with neither having emerged as the firm favourite to line up between the sticks when the Blues get their League One campaign under way at the Pirelli Stadium a week tomorrow.

Lambert admits he has a tough decision to make: “Yes, the two of them have been fine, there’s no issue with that at all, it’s just who I throw in there.”

Last month Bialkowski saw a move to Millwall break down due to the Lions’ concerns with an aspect of his medical, something which has never been considered a worry by the Blues throughout his five years at the club.

“I never really heard anything of great significance that was going to happen,” Lambert added when asked whether he now expected Bialkowski, who was also believed to be interesting other Championship clubs earlier in the summer, to still be at Portman Road at the start of the season.

“Millwall enquired about him, never happened for one reason or another, so Bart has to fight with Holy.”

The Blues manager says Bialkowski has got on with the job in the manner expected of him since the Lions switch broke down.

“You have to, the club pays your wages,” he continued. “This is your club, this is your job, the club pays your wages.

“If things don't happen for you you get on with it. There’s no point in thinking about what could have been. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. If it happens, it happens, the club moves on.

“The club’s bigger than any player, any individual. The supporters are the major factor at a football club, the club will always be here long after everybody else has gone.”

Which of the two keepers starts in goal at Cambridge tomorrow could give a clue to who gets picked at Burton, although Lambert hinted that he again plans to field a team which is a mix of first-teamers and fringe players.

Photo: TWTD

CaptainAhab added 10:03 - Jul 26 Holy wars never end well...
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BlueBlood90 added 10:05 - Jul 26 I think we have to start with Bart. He's the highest paid player at the club and he's going to have to play and put in good performances if we're going to make any money on him.
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IPSWICHMOUSE added 10:09 - Jul 26 If Bart was off a few weeks ago to Millwall of all places or someone else was interested & he wanted to go ...We signed a keeper & have another couple waiting in the wings so to speak....Play Holy as the NO1.....Bart cannot be our highest paid player surely...COYB..ITID..
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:25 - Jul 26 Based on form over past year and in pre season, Holy is way ahead right now. He also helps with our lack of height at the back, which in a more longer ball league, could be our undoing. I have been Bart's biggest fan, but it is a results business and between him and Chambo, I see us continuing to leak unnecessary goals. If PL does pick Bart, can see him being dropped really quickly after his first mistake, whether it costs us or not, which I unfortunately believe WILL occur at Burton if picked.

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Lightningboy added 11:20 - Jul 26 I'd go Holy - a fresh start is needed in League one with a new keeper. Bart's been great uptil a year ago but after last season I wish we'd cashed in on him. I think having 2 decent keepers is possibly more of a hinderance (to them) than a help.
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lightingblue added 11:25 - Jul 26 If Bart has to fight, maybe this maybe 1 reason why half the squad are injured. As part of training they have to beat each other up!! Lol
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Bluearmy_81 added 12:27 - Jul 26 My money is on Holy inside 3 rounds...
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Carberry added 13:00 - Jul 26 'The supporters are the major factor at a football club....' Not this one.
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shouldistayorcounago added 13:05 - Jul 26 Bart to start, I think we'll see a return in form from him this year. Like the look of Holy but do think we should play our most experienced keeper first game.
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ThaiBlue added 13:34 - Jul 26 Holy for me.looks a big commanding keeper which Bart has not been recently and form not that great either.think holy is the future and the future starts at Burton.
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SamWhiteUK added 13:41 - Jul 26 “You have to, the club pays your wages,” he continued. “This is your club, this is your job, the club pays your wages. “If things don't happen for you you get on with it. There's no point in thinking about what could have been. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. If it happens, it happens, the club moves on. “The club's bigger than any player, any individual. The supporters are the major factor at a football club, the club will always be here long after everybody else has gone.” Looking at no one in particular, Judgey..

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JewellintheTown added 14:01 - Jul 26 Cant believe some of you are contemplating Holy as our first choice. Forget sentimentality, stats alone suggest Bart by a mile. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler Holy seems decent enough if Bart does go but a relatively unknown gamble, who hasnt played as high a level, goals per gamer is statistically worse, along with most if not all his stats. Less than 5 years between them, I know, but at Holys age, Bart had achived much higher success. No guarantees, but IF Barts stays and his heart and mind are in it, I'd pick him over Holy any day of the week to get us off to a good start. But that will all depend who's playing in front of him and what the crowd are like getting behind him.

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Bluearmy_81 added 14:51 - Jul 26 'The supporters are the major factor at a football club....' Not this one. Too right Carberry. Awful fans, pretty embarrassed of them to be honest.
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Linkboy13 added 20:42 - Jul 26 This all depends what frame of mind Bart is in if his hearts not in the club they must pick Holy speaking to fans who went to Colchester Bart looked very unhappy.
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:17 - Jul 27 Suspect that he might start with Holy at Burton but who knows. Either should be fine its the need for a left side cb that concerns me..... anyone know how Tommy Smith is getting on in the USA?
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KiwiTractor added 02:55 - Jul 27 Bart is the incumbent, surely he deserves the first shot. If his form is patchy then Holy gets a chance?
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